Women

A party on the move

Pairti ag dul ar aghaidh

WOMEN'S ISSUES

Feminism and Republicanism

The common central goal of Republicanism and Feminism is equality for all. Sinn Fein's vision of a new Ireland is one where all the nations children are cherished equally, and have equal rights. There must be equality of opportuinity for women in every aspect of life - on the education system, in employment, in our daily lives, in our community, in our party structure, and in the political structures to which our party's representatives are elected.

Sinn Fein Womens Forum

The National Womens Forun is the successor to the Sinn Fein Womens Department, which organised political work on womens rights and equality issues for over a decade. The Forum, which was established in 1997, works both independently, and in conjunction with Sinn Fein party structures in each of the five Cuige areas - Dublin, Leinster, Connaught/Ulster, Munster and the Six counties.

It plays an important role in putting gender issues to the fore within the party, developing progressive gender policies and working with campaigns throughout the island for social change. It also organises an annual Womens Congress.

Bairbre de Brun, currently the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland, is one of the best known women in the party. Even opposition parties admit that she is a very intelligent and able minister in what is a demanding portfolio. Bairbe is seen here addressing a Sinn Fein conference in Dublin.

Women in Sinn Fein

Policy Development

In order to fully represent women's interests Sinn Fein is committed a dual strategy of implementing pro-active measures of gender equality within the party and reaching out to women outside of the party for their views. To date we have seen some sucess. One third of our candidates elected to the assembly are women. Most of the key departments in Sinn Fein are headed by women, on the sole basis of ability and commitment, but we have yet to tackle the invisibility of women in the party. While much has been done we still have a long way to go to increase the number of women contesting elections, holding public office, or acting as spokespersons for the party.

Above is a photo of Sinn Fein's, Marie Moore. Marie served as Deputy Mayor of Belfast City Council in 1999/2000.

The cornerstone of Sinn Feins gendr policy is a document entitled "Women in Ireland". This document is a comprehensive analysis of gender inequality and contains detailed policy proposals on a wide variety of issues including:

- Equality of political participation for women.

- Equality for women in the labour market.

- Support for the setting of timescales to achieve equality of outcome in employment structures, education and training.

- Provision of quality, affordable childcare.

- Addressing violence against women.

- A pro-active preventative approach to womens healthcare.

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